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64
DRAFT
Braden Smith
PG · Purdue · 6'0" · age 22 · Developmental
2026 DRAFT PROSPECTA crafty pass-first floor general
Indiana Pacers
Drafted No. 38 · proj. 51–31
A cerebral lead guard who orchestrates an offense and rarely turns it over. A backup floor general whose size caps the ceiling.
Proj. pick #39Range 38–55Comp Tyus Jones
Strengths
- Elite passing vision and assists
- High feel and pace control
- Tough shotmaking off the dribble
Top concern
Size and athleticism limit defense
Draft grade — a pre-NBA scouting projection from the curated Big Board, graded against the draft class. It is not an NBA rating; an NBA rating appears once he plays a qualifying NBA season.